Wheel and axle seal



Nov. 6, 1951 H. w. SANFORD ET AL 2,573,735

WHEEL. AND AXLE SEAL Filed Jan. 5, 1946 s Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov- 6, 1 51 H.w. SANFORD ET AL WHEEL AND AXLE SEAL 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 5, 1946awe/M014.

Nov. 6, 1951 Filed Jan. 3, 1946 H. W. SANFORD ET AL WHEEL AND AXLE SEAL5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Zlwumwtom,

Patented Nov. 6, 1951 TWHEEIYAND AXLEL'SEAL HughlW. Sanford-and JohnFrank Baker, Knoxville,l'1enn., assignors to The Sanford Investment.Company,.'Wi1mington, Del., a corporation" of'Delaware'.;ApplicationJanua1-y-3, 1946, Serial No. 638,822

This inventionwrelatesi tolwheel and axleseals,

an'd'mmore particularly to a sealing; device :i'or cl sing 3 the space.between-the. wheel .bearing and the axle on which it is journaled,particularly for such wheels. as. are adaptedrtonuse inmine cars andthe'like; v I

jIn mine cars .of.' the ..type whenelthe side. sills are spaced very farapart lso. as. to. leave little clearance between the wheelliand the..adjacent. side -sill, v difficulties have been ,encfiuntere'dlin the.l

sealing oi thebearing assembly, especiallywhere the car is used in a"mine. in which I a greatideal of water or moisturelis' encountered.,Innsuch mines, the moistureor water absorbs .dirtfland forms a muckwhich getsli'nto 'the. space between the cap at"then'ear 'ofthe wheeland the.

vertical wall of the 'carnsilli Where the wheelf'iss0 mounted that-thedistance between the cap 7 and the adjacent sill-is very"short;;thiswheel" has a transverse motion relative to'the sill'of approximatelyone-quarter inch. Consequently, when the muck-gets down 'between-thecap'and' the sill, the""pressure' of 1 the end thrust *of",the

wheel' 'towar'd the sill tendstosqueeze the muck into "the "crackbetween the collar" on the A axle and'zthelcap'on therear-"face -df'thewhee'li When this -m1ick: findsits' way into' the" felt packing usuallyprovided, it causes the packing to become :hard whencdr'ys' andithereafter to he less effective for seaiingirpurposea andl moreover thegrit rand-dirt present in #t'he muck tends F to cause thefelt'to'zbertorniip :andrlestroyed:

This was: true even :of the packing set forth in thei'prior'patent of.HughW: Sanford, granted' October: '23; I945; No; 5231879301? iIn suchconstruction, there was '1. no" effective metal seal at the inner .face1of: the: feltawhich 2 woul'di' prevent the entrance ofmuck: inter-thefflti that: would cause-i damage: thereto:

tive.to exclude-the z'muck and moisture:

'A-sl-eather'washert oven the-grace of the-:felt probablyawouldxnot:bereffece- The object rof cth-isrinventione is: to improve theconstruction 'of ithe-z seal for the -hearings at: the

innenface of wthewheel. by providingaasealahe tween 7 theewheelaandtthe;axles whichi will more effectively excludeethelmuckuandtmoisturetfrom=the;fieltlthatior nse.thesprimary seal.fonthe bear.-

close the felt packinghy a'inetalp'ortion, flange or ring .in suchmanner as tooverlap the can between the hub capand the axle collartofonn a positive obstruction or labyrinth againstithe ,admission ofmuck to the sealing element. LB}! thus enclosing the sealin elementwithin-amet'al wall at the side whereqthemuck normally would enter,thelatter isvirtuallyexcluded from-finding access to the packing le1ement,- whereby the latter is protected andmaintainedin. servicetforproviding an efiective packing between the =-whee1= and axle atthe innersidevof thebearings- The invention may be embodied in difierent:

forms, several of which =are.illustrated infithetaccompanyingdrawings inwhich:

Fig. 1 isla half.sectionthrougha-car wheel:

journale'd on an axle which latter is .shown in;

elevation, .and illustrating one embodiment :of this seal; and

Figs. 2 to :7 are detail vertical sectional 'views showingother formsofthe seal asmodifiedtembodiments ofltheinvention.

Referringlto Fig..l',lan;axle is designated-Lgenerally by the numeral.l, .provided with an axle journal 2, terminating at its. outer end.ina.- reducedjournal portion '3. k the reduced portiona3'is externallyscrew-thread-' ed at 4 to receive thereon a-nut 5 adapted; to beadjusted and locked iniplace by a. cotterpin 6.

Surrounding the axle ll is alwheel whichzis. ill-v lustratedLasa carwheelwprovidedawithla tread- I and. hub .8 connected together integrally-by-a webor spokes.9. The innerend-lof thehub 81s initially open,.ebutthe outer end. (toward .the outer side .of ithe wheel) is closed by anintegral bricantemayvbe introduced into the hubnof the wheel. .forlubricatin the. bearings therein.

The hubv8 surrounds-the journatportionsi and 3 'Df thBTaIXIeQaHd-iSjournaled thereon by two;

sets of anti-friction bearings l2 and 13, which are shown as hallbearings; and these are spaced apartaxiall y ofnt'he hubltoward'theinner and outer. sides of the. wheel. However, one-way end-thrustroller-bearmgsmay hev used instead of,hal1 bearings;1if desired;

The, set. of.flball bearings I 21 is provided with' anz Y axlrace .IAgandla hubirace l5 fittedirespectively 1 one the ,axle journalif'landwithin-.the wheel huh 50 8. The set'of anti-friction bearingsl'3'is'provided The extreme end 70L end .wall 1.0; which,isiprovidedwith an orifice which aliplugl. H v is fitted and throughwhich 1 1-- with an axle race l6 and a hub race |1 fitted respectivelyupon the axle journal portion 3 and within the wheel hub 8.

Although the hub race 1 is not confined axially by the wheel hub, theaxle race I6 is confined at one side by the nut 5. The axle races l4 andI6 are confined at their opposed sides by spacing means generallydesignated at IS. A lubricant chamber I9 is formed between the spacedbearings l2 and I3. The hub race I is confined at one side by abuttingagainst a shoulder |8 in the hub 8.

The hub race I5 is held in clamped relation against the shoulder l8 by apressure ring 2| which telescopes into the inner end of the hub 8 inpressure relation, although not abutting in the form shown, with the hubrace l5. edge of the pressure ring 2| projects from the inner end of thehub in positionto receive there-- against a retaining hub cap generally.indicated at 22 that surrounds the inner end of the hub.

Theopposite 4 the flange 29, so as to press the felt resiliently againstthe flange which would tend to cause the felt to work its way inwardlytoward the axle collar as wear takes place on the felt.

The felt or packing ring 21 is so disposed between the rotatable wheeland the stationary axle collar 24 as to exclude dirt and foreign matterfrom the wheel bearings. At the same time, this felt or packing ring isconfined on its inner side by a metal flange 29, extending oversubstantially the entire inner face thereof in overlapping relation withthe crack 26 as to exclude muck from the felt and thus protect it fromthe destructive effect of the muck and other foreign matter. There is notendency for the felt to rub against the shoulder on the axle collar asthe Wheel revolves; which would have a destructive effect on the felt.

This cap 22 forms a closure cap or ring at least In this form, the axlecollar 34 has its flange 35 generally indicated at 3| has laterally andinwardly inclined flange 39, which parts are so shaped as to be capableof stamping from heavy sheet metal in forming the ring instead of the.machined ring disclosed above.

the peripheral portion of .the cap 22 and through the web or spokes .ofthe wheel, to provide for the application of pressure to the ring 2|sufficiently.

to apply a clamping action .to the hub race [5 in thewheel hub.

The structure as described above is similar.

generally to that set forthin the prior patent to Moore, No. 2,112,859,granted April 5, 1938,v v

.Provision is made for sealing the inner end of the hub to confinelubricant therein within the l lubricant chamber l9 that surroundstheaxle between the bearings l2 and I3. For this purpose,-

The axle comer 24 is concentric with the pressure ring 2| and has aradially surrounding flange 25 extending toward the periphery-of theopening in the center of the hub cap 22in a transverse verticalplanepassing through the center portion of {said cap with a, relativelynarrow crack generally indicated at 26 therebetween.

Surrounding the axle collar 24 and between said collar and the pressurering 2|, is a packing ring 21,,preferably formed of felt or othersuitable packing material. This packing ring 21 is confined on one sideby a washer 28 which is interposed between the pressure ring 2| and thehub race |5 and clamped. therebetween s as to rotate with the wheel. Atits opposite side, the packing ring 21 is confined by an integral flange29 formed the felt or packing ring 21 is confined between the metalflange 29 and the metal washer 28 both rigid with the wheel, so as torotate therewith, whereby the packing ring will have a frictionalbearing only at its edge which bears on the axle collar. The washer .28may be made sufliciently thin andresilient, so as t bend when;

thefelt is packed tight between this Washer and The packing 31 isenclosed between the flange 39 and a washer 38 which isJaterally offsetto provide a spring action yieldably pressing the packing ring 31 towardthe inclined flange 39 t increase the tendency to press the packinginwardly to take up.

for wear.

In this form, the axle collar 34 has it flange 35 spaced from thevertical plane through the inner edge of the hub cap 32, although thisrelation may be varied according to the lateral disposition, One ofthese sills is of the side SiHSeOf the car. indicated generally at 30supported upon the axle and having means connected therewith formountingthe car body thereon.

In the further morification shown in Fig. 3,

a lighter stamped pressurering is-shown generally at 4| but used inconnection with a heavy steel washer 48 for confining the felt packing41 therebetween. The ring 4| is constructed to-have lateral resiliencyacting on the felt packing tending to press the same inwardly.

In Fig. 4, the pressure ring 5| has an internal groove 56 therein toreceive the felt packing 51 embraced on opposite sides by flanges 58 and59 on the ring and which flanges form opposite sides of the groove 56.In this form, the extra washer is not required, inasmuch as the flangesserve to confine opposite sides of the packing ring.

Referring to Fig. 5, the hub cap 62 abuts directly against the hub raceof the inner bearing without an intervening pressure ring. Ac-'cordingly, a confining ring BI is Welded to one side of the hub cap 62to enclose the felt packing 61 at the inner open face of the wheel. The

opposite side of the packing ring 61 is enclosed by a cupped washer 68which also extends inwardly between the axle race and the axle collar.The form of the invention shown in Fig. 6, has" the pressure ring Hreversed with respect to its position in Fig; 1, whereby the washer 18is disposed at the inner face of the packing ring' 11, while the flange19 is formed integral with the pressure ring 1| at the outer face of theraces.

Because 01? the overlapping relationship c nema tween therearrliubwcapiandithezshoulder on the axle collar in Figs. 1 and 6,,there is no possibility 11-. kThu's we form a labyrinthin thedesignsshown .'in. fi'igs. 1 and 6. Because of the=nature of1 tl iesetwo-forms, we can packthis crack- :25 with'a heavy waterproof grease atthe time of mounting the wheel; and thus form an added seal againsttheentrance of dirtror: muck.

"Still, another modificationr'isshown iniFig. '7, ingwdiich the feltpacking-:81: :isa inserted; into a groove, 85, formed in ther'axle:collar 84. this form, the packing ring remains stationary althoughbearing against a lateral flange 83 formed on the hub cap 82, so as toseal the crack therebetween.

While the invention is illustrated in different embodiments, it isobvious that the invention is not limited to these specific forms butthat it may be employed in many ways within the scope of the claimspresented.

We claim:

1. In a hub having an open inner end adapted to receive an axle thereinand to be journaled on said axle, a ring arranged at the axial inner endof said hub and having a radially extending inner portion thereof toclose said end portion of said hub, a collar adapted to fit about theaxle and spaced radially inwardly from said ring, said collar having aportion thereof extending radially outward, a packing ring adjacent theopen end of the hub in position to seal the space between said hub andthe axle collar, and a metal ring disposed axially laterally of saidpacking ring in overlapping relation with the outwardly extendingportion of the collar and the radially extending portion of thefirst-mentioned ring in position to prevent the admission of foreignmatter into the packing ring.

2. In a wheel including a hub having an open inner end adapted toreceive an axle therein to be journaled thereon, a packing ring offibrous material at the open inner end of the hub in position to sealthe hub from the entrance of foreign matter through said open inner end,a closure cap at the inner end of the hub and at least partially closingsaid open inner end thereof, and a metal ring disposed axially laterallybetween the packing ring and said closure cap and projecting radiallyinwardly of the radial inner edge of said closure cap substantially tothe inner edge of the packing ring.

3. In a wheel including a hub having a closed end and an opposite openend adapted to receive an axle therein to be j ournaled thereon, apacking ring of fibrous material at the open end of the hub in positionto seal the hub from the entrance of foreign matter through said openend, a closure cap at the open end of the hub and at least partiallyclosing said open end thereof, means for detachably connecting theclosure cap with the wheel for removal of the wheel from the axle upondetachment of the closure cap therefrom, a pressure ring at one side ofthe closure cap, and metal ring means connected with said pressure ringand extending radially inwardly on opposite sides of the packing ring,one of said last-mentioned metal ring means being disposed between thepacking ring and the closure cap and extending radially inwardly fromthe inner edge of the closure cap substantially'ito ltherradial:innercedgexofothe packing.

ing'xringiof fibrousrmaterial Rat theopenend of theihub intposition toseal'the hub from the en trance of: foreign matter through saidopenend,a- CIGSHIB Capl atk'the open end of the hub and at leastpartiallys'closingsaid open. end thereof,meansaforcdetachablyazconnecting the closure cap with iithe wheel forremoval of the wheel from the axle upon detachment of the closure captherefrom, and a pressure ring interposed be- 15; tweem the closurecap:and .the interior of: the

hub radially outwardly of the packing ring said pressure ring having anintegral metal flange extending radially inwardly beyond the inner edgeof the closure cap substantially to the radial inner edge of the packingring to prevent the admission of foreign matter thereto.

5. The combination of a wheel having a hub adapted for rotatablyencircling an axle and to be journaled thereon, said hub having a closedend and opposite open end, a closure cap connected with the wheel andextending inwardly toward the axis of the hub in overlapping relationwith the open end of the hub at least partially closing said open end,means for detachably connecting the closure cap with the wheel forremoval of the wheel from the axle upon detachment of the closure captherefrom, a pressure ring at the open end of the hub and interposedbetween said closure cap and the interior of the hub, a packing ring offibrous material radially inwardly of the pressure ring in position toseal the space between said pressure ring and an axle collar, saidpressure ring having an integral metal flange thereon extending radiallyinwardly between said packing ring and the cap beyond the inner edge ofsaid closure cap and substantially to the inner diameter thereof.

6. In a wheel including a hub having an open inner end adapted toreceive an axle therein, a packing ring of fibrous material adjacent theopen inner end of the hub in position to seal the hub against theentrance of foreign matter thereinto, a pressure ring having spacedopposite sides and an inner face toward the axis of the hub between thesides embracing and enclosing the packing ring with said sides extendingradially inwardly substantially to the radial inner edge of the packingring, and means for anchoring said pressure ring rigidly to the hub torotate therewith.

'7. In a wheel including a hub having an open inner end adapted toreceive an axle therein, a

packing ring of fibrous material adjacent the open inner end of the hubin position to seal the hub against the entrance of foreign matterthereinto, a pressure ring having spaced opposite sides and an innerface toward the axis of the hub between the sides embracing andenclosing the packing ring with said sides extending radially inwardlysubstantially to the radial inner edge of the packing ring, said sidesand face being constructed in one integral piece in rigid relation toeach other, and a closure cap secured to the inner end of the hub andanchoring the pressure ring thereto.

' 8. In a wheel including ahub having a closed end and an opposite openend adapted to receive an axle therein, a packing ring of fibrousmaterial at the open end of the hub in position Intaiwheel includingra'hub having aiclosed. en'dian'dians opposite: :open endi adapted: toreceive ansaxlezthereinit'ocbe :journaledthereon, a pack- 7 to seal thehub against the entrance of foreign matter through said open end, aclosure cap at the open end of the hub and at least partially closingsaid open end thereof, and a pressure ring interposed between theclosure cap and the 5 the interior of the hub with a metal flangethereon extending radially inwardly in overlapping relation with thepacking ring, said flange being of yieldable material and arranged tobear yieldably against a side of the packing ring. 10

HUGH W. SANFORD. JOHN FRANK BAKER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 15 fileof this patent:

Number Number 8 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Buckwalter Jan. 4 ,1921Gurney Apr. 14, 1925 Taylor July 3, 1928 Scribner Feb. 25, 1930 BrouwerMay 15, 1934 Okner et a1 Aug. 25, 1936 Sanford Mar. 2, 1943 Sanford Oct.23, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Sweden 1886 Germany 1935 GreatBritain 1939

